Imagine becoming sexually impotent the day you just married a third wife, very young and fresh. How awful! This is exactly what happened to El Hadji Abdou Kader Bèye, and I laughed so much at his reversal of fortune ...

El Hadji belongs to the "association of businessmen". It’s actually a group of Senegalese resellers and sub-contractors, who want to take control of all the important sectors of the economy, from the hands of the ex-settlers. This is the post-colonial era, and they hope to get rich through corruption and by walking a bit on the heads of the less fortunates. El Hadj has just married N'Goné, a young lady who is about the age of his daughter Rama. This was done through Yay Bineta, the Badiène or matchmaker, who is the paternal aunt of N'Goné. Of course, this is not a love match. The family of the third wife wants to get out of poverty. El Hadji, wants to show the Badiène that he is not afraid of his wives, and at the same time feed his pride by marrying a young girl. But unable to perform his marital obligations because he has the Xala, everything turns upside-down for El Hadji. He goes to see Serigne after Serigne (healer), hoping to find a cure. He neglects his business and accumulates debts, so of course the worst is not far to come ...

"Xala" is the satire of a post-colonial Senegalese society, inclined to waste in pompous marriages, to corruption, to the use of religion according to what suits them, and the need of showing off. This description could also be that of the present society, not only Senegalese but also West African and more precisely Muslim.

Rama the eldest daughter, would have undoubtedly been referred to as an Afro-feminist if she tweeted her thoughts today. She is part of a group of young people that promotes the Wolof language and the writing through a newspaper they have set up. Rama represents the young African generation that wants to make its voice heard, and combines Africanity and Western way of life. Fundamentally against polygamy, she doesn’t understand why her mother accepts her father’s escapades. Her mother Adja Awa Astou, who converted to Islam out of love and no longer speaks to her Christian father since several years. Her mother who is the prototype of the "Muslim or African docile and submissive woman", while her husband fornicates and drinks alcohol. Adja Awa Astou reminded me of my article "Do not change for love". Rama is the only one who openly opposed her father's marriage.

Sembène Ousmane describes the atmosphere in polygamous homes that even in the city, where each wife has her own house, have no lack of injustice and rivalries. Rivalries that sometimes affect children as well as wives. The Xala or the impotence of El Hadji could looks like a divine punishment. He knows that he can take up to four wives, he goes to Mecca to show-off, but El Hadji is only Muslim by title. "Xala" is also and above all the criticism of this new bourgeoisie which tramples on the poorest to reach the summits. This novel is rich in denunciations and the end is just masterful. Sembène Ousmane undoubtedly has a sadistic side that he used to conclude the story. I, who spent my time laughing at the misfortunes of El Hadj, closed "Xala" in shock.

"Xala" was adapted into a film, directed by Sembène Ousmane himself. I would like to see so many more African books adapted to the cinema to reach a wider audience. Sembène Ousmane was one of the few, - the only African author I know - who made it a point to do it himself. Today, even if the book is always better than the movie, a collaboration between filmmakers and African writers could carry some messages much further. Both the film and the book "Xala" are worth the detour. And you'll see at the end that « Xala » could also be titled Karma ... If you've read it or watched the movie, I can’t wait to hear what you think.

Les Chroniques De Tchonté

Young African woman addicted to God, Books, Ice Cream, Travels, Writing and much more. I want to transform the education system in Cote d'Ivoire. Isn't that great or crazy? Fotamanan (Welcome in Senoufo) to my world. Take a seat!

Les chroniques de Tchonté

Young African woman addicted to God, Books, Ice Cream, Travels, Writing and much more. I want to transform the education system in Cote d'Ivoire. Isn't that great or crazy? Fotamanan (Welcome in Senoufo) to my world. Take a seat!